Denial Appeal Dropped

Bizline

WESTMINSTER — A city chemist withdrew an appeal of a notice of denial to change his garage into an office, asking instead for a conditional use for a professional office at 1411 Old Taneytown Road.

Charles Mooshian requested from the county Board of Zoning Appeals a conditional use forthe professional office for himself and two non-resident employees, variances pertaining to the minimum lot size and parking requirements.

Mooshian owns and manages Fountain Valley Analytical Laboratory Inc., a state approved water quality testing firm. A garage on the property was converted to an office and laboratory in 1991.

Conditional uses for professional offices with no more than two employees are allowed on the property, which is zoned agricultural. The lot area for the conditional use is set at three acres; Mooshian's property is 2.4 acres.

The board approved the request and variances, finding that the business will not unduly affect adjacent properties. A 45-footsquare parking area was authorized and the current width of the driveway approved.

An unevenly paved driveway apron at the entrance toOld Taneytown Road is to be corected in conjunction with the approval.

SPA REFUNDS AVAILABLE

Members of the recently closed Leisure Health Spa in Westminster may file for refunds if they paid membership dues in advance, the state Attorney General's Office announced.

Refunds will be paid from a $100,000 security bond the company posted with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

Members have until Dec. 21 to file for a refund on the portion of the membership they paid for but did not receive, said Assistant Attorney GeneralSteven M. Sakamoto-Wengel.

Leisure's owners filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in October. In January, owner Michael G. Owings announced that the owner of Carroll Fitness Center in Finksburg, Doug Emel, would take over the club, but negotiations broke down and Owings closed Leisure.

Leisure members should send a copy of their membership agreement and all evidence of paymentsto: Leisure Health Club Claims, in care of Lee Stevens, Selective Insurance Co., 201 International Circle, Hunt Valley, Md., 21030.

AUCTION SET ON FRIDAY

WESTMINSTER -- The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Carroll County will sponsor an auctionat 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Westminster Riding Club to raise money for both groups.

Tickets are $10 and still are available.

More than $16,000 worth of goods and services have been donated to be auctioned off, chamber officials said.

Information: 848-9050.

WAL-MART GETS OK

Westminster -- Wal-Mart stores Inc. and Lowe's Cos. Inc. have received conditional approval from the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission to builkd stores in the Englar Business Park.

Construction is likely to begin by April, according to City Planning Director Thomas Beyard. The commission approved grading permits and a consolidation permit for the two properties.

Wal-Mart's preliminary plans show its store, which will be 116,857 square feet in size, located behind Kelly's Stationary Store, across from land owned by the U.S. Postal Service.

The two stores are expected to create as many as350 new jobs, according to information presented to the city planning commission.